The ski world mourns a coaching legend

His daughter, Martina Sailer, announced the news on Facebook. Lindsey Vonn learned to ski as a little girl at his Buck Hill Camp in Minnesota. The US superstar mourned on Instagram: "Erich was more than my ski coach. Erich was my family. Without him, I would undoubtedly not be the person and skier I am today," the 40-year-old wrote on Instagram.

The entire ski racing community wouldn't be the same without him, Vonn continued. "He has single-handedly done more for the sport of skiing than any other coach in America, and perhaps even the world. Even from the small but mighty Buck Hill in Minnesota, which he established as a world-class racing program." She will try to make her final turns in ski racing quick for him. "I will try to make them more meaningful for you. You always believed in me." "Erich was more than my ski coach. Erich was my family." Lindsey Vonn Vonn, whose father was also coached by Erich Sailer, said she was grateful to have seen him this summer. The winner of 82 World Cup races made her World Cup comeback in December 2024 after a break of almost six years. And she will finally end her career after next winter, with the climax of the Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina. "I'm grateful to hear this belief in me once again," she said of the last encounter. "I will use it when I compete in this final season, but also for the rest of my life. I will never forget you." After the post in English, she added in German: "I love you, Erich."

Numerous other ski stars trained Erich Sailer, originally from Telfs, founded race camps for young riders in America with fellow countrymen Pepi Gramshammer and Anderl Molterer. At the Buck Hill Camp in Minnesota, he also trained Kristina Koznick, Sarah Schleper, and Resi Stiegler, among others. "My heart is broken, but I've never been so grateful. You were my coach. You were my mentor. You gave your heart and soul for me," Koznick wrote on Instagram.

Sailer was also a member of the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame. "Legend, coach, mentor, friend, father, rest in peace, Dad," his daughter Martina Sailer wrote on Facebook. "May your spirit and soul live on in all you touched, especially your granddaughters Lulu and Greta. I hope you're making beautiful turns on the perfect snow."

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The ski world mourns a coaching legend

North Tyrolean ski pioneer Erich Sailer, who emigrated to the USA, has died at the age of 99.

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